Contrary to popular belief, male sexual desire isn’t a walk in the park.
It’s an elaborate dance involving the brain, hormones, emotions, nerves, muscles, and blood vessels. It might take two to tango, but it takes so much more to get it on. Sexual dysfunction can happen when any one of these elements is even the slightest bit off, which, as it turns out, is incredibly common among men.
“As a board-certified urologist, I can assure men with sexual dysfunction that they are not alone,” says Dr. Eric Margolis, Chief of Urology at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center. “This is the most common complaint I see during my office hours.”
It can be difficult to face sexual problems because we tend to think of our sexual health as separate or less important than our physical health. If it helps, think of sexual problems as just another health problem, like a cold or allergies. If it bothers you or impacts your day-to-day life, there are plenty of treatments available to take the edge off (or get it back). If sexual problems continue or worsen over time, it might be worth it to get it checked out.
“If the signs of sexual dysfunction persist, a man should strongly consider seeing their primary care health provider or a urologist,” warns Dr. Margolis. “While many causes of sexual dysfunction are harmless and self-limiting, they may be an early warning sign for more serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease.”
Sexual health is personal health, and if you’re experiencing any form of discomfort or dissatisfaction with your sexual performance, know that there are easy solutions out there that can restore and even improve your sex life. Male sexual dysfunctions are universal, but suffering from them doesn’t have to be.
To help you understand male sexual dysfunctions, let’s take a look at the three most common problems men might face, along with a few straightforward solutions. Using this information, you can take control of your sexual health and get back on the dance floor in no time.
What is male sexual dysfunction?
“Male sexual function is a complex process that involves the nervous system, hormones, pelvic muscles, and blood flow through healthy arteries and veins,” says Dr. Margolis. “A problem with any of the components of this machine may result in sexual dysfunction.”
Male sexual dysfunction can happen when any of those processes malfunctions. This could occur as a result of stress, alcohol consumption, or more seriously, a hormone imbalance. Signs of male sexual dysfunction can include trouble getting or maintaining an erection, loss of spontaneous erections in the early morning, and loss of sexual desire. Basically, if it’s affecting your ability to have or enjoy sex, something isn’t right. For most men, the most common forms of sexual dysfunction are low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, and problems with ejaculation. Below, we’ll explore symptoms and treatments for these conditions to get your sex life back on track.
Low sex drive
Both men and women experience low sex drive occasionally, but men tend to be more affected by this complaint. For many men, low libido can have a serious impact on their self-image and relationships because they consider masculinity and sexuality to be closely related. Low sex drive doesn’t just refer to desire and frequency of sex, but also how you feel before and after sex. If you don’t eagerly anticipate or fantasize about sex with your partner, or if after you don’t experience feelings of warmth and closeness with your partner, check-in with yourself (and your partner). Causes of low sex drive could be a combination of physical and psychological factors. Hormones, anxiety, depression, or stress can all affect libido.
“Loss of libido or sexual desire may have an emotional or hormonal cause,” says Dr. Margolis. “An important first step is a blood test to check hormone levels, such as testosterone.”
If your low sex drive isn’t caused by a hormonal imbalance, the cause might be chemical. There are plenty of topical treatments that can increase sexual desire naturally. Awaken nasal spray uses Bremalanotide, a libido-inducing, and stress-reducing peptide to kickstart the part of your brain that controls desire, and lets your body take it from there. Your libido may naturally fluctuate, but by having these treatments in your back pocket, you can be back in control in minutes.
Erectile dysfunction
Erectile dysfunction, or E.D. refers to the inability to sustain an erection during any form of sexual activity. E.D. can happen at any age, but it’s more common in men after 50. Maintaining an erection all comes down to blood flow, which explains why many cases can be linked to physical conditions like heart disease, thyroid imbalances, diabetes, or hypertension.
E.D. can also appear as a result of emotional distress related to work, kids, or relationships. The best thing you can do for your sexual health is to take care of your physical and emotional health.
“Treatments for sexual dysfunction begin with preventative measures which would include a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, and stress reduction,” warns Dr. Margolis. “Dangerous habits such as excessive alcohol use, smoking, or drug use should be avoided.”
Products like Strength Lozenges can help address underlying conditions and common difficulties that contribute to E.D. It contains Sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, which can relax constricted blood vessels to allow better blood flow to your penis. Apomorphine is there as an added bonus to enhance orgasms and sexual pleasure to make the most of your improved erections. Passion lozenges contain Avanafil (generic Stendra), which can work even faster than Sildenafil to increase blood flow to the penis. Taking one just 15 minutes before sex takes the guesswork out of your erections, and results in better, longer sex that you and your partner will enjoy.
Ejaculation dysfunction
Premature ejaculation and difficulty achieving orgasm are both types of ejaculation dysfunction that can put a real damper on your sex life. Ejaculation dysfunction can cause unnecessary stress for both you and your partner. If you’re having trouble getting there or staying there, it’s likely related to your emotional state. Prescription drugs like Viagra can also result in unintended side effects related to ejaculation.
Anxiety about your performance can sometimes make it worse and cause you to enter into a cycle of self-fulling prophecies. Despite what your inner monologue might tell you, you are not doomed to false starts and missed finish lines forever. Therapy in conjunction with topical treatments can get your brain and your body back on the same page.
“There is an important role in behavioral therapy to address sexual dysfunction related to emotional stressors,” says Dr. Margolis.
If lasting longer is your goal, Lasting Lozenges can help improve blood flow while enhancing orgasm, and counteracting the common downsides of generic PDE5-inhibitor medications, like Viagra. You don’t have to leave the party early any longer. Taking the tablet 30-60 minutes before sex can help ensure a better experience with elongated periods of pleasure.
Sexual dysfunction will only slow you down if you let it.
Simple solutions are at your disposal at the first sign of a problem. If you’re suffering from any form of male sexual dysfunction, it’s best to address it early and head-on, as it could be a sign of more serious health problems.
Your sexual health is connected to your overall health, including physical and mental health. Once you realize how interconnected these seemingly different systems are, you can take a more holistic view of your health and make improvements that benefit your whole self.
“The good news is that we have many treatments for male sexual dysfunction that are both safe and highly effective, so please don’t suffer in silence,” says Dr. Margolis.
